“On the podcast last Saturday, our friend NinthBatter gave us an on-scene report from the PETA event that took place earlier in the day. As you might expect, it was chaos — while PETA’s plan was to roll Alliance and attack a few Horde bad guys, lots of folks rolled Horde instead, and started up a guild called the “Seal Cub Clubbing Club.” Many, many seals died, as you can see in the few pictures below.

And perhaps most hilariously, people brought plenty of Great Feasts to lay out for the crowd, which means that right in all of the (supposedly) animal-saving action, there was plenty of roast pig to eat. Not exactly the best day for PETA, but what did they expect? They did, however, get quite a few media mentions, so it was probably mission accomplished over there anyway.”

Laconical Pup’s note: The “Great Feast” is an item that, when used, spawns a large platter on the ground with the classic roast pig with apple in mouth. Players can click on the feast to eat it, regaining health and becoming slightly stronger for the next hour. It looks like this:

There were screenshots of the event posted, but honestly unless you play WoW they won’t look like much.

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A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysisdefines “rightwing extremism in the United States” as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.

How about that, boys and girls? Now your federal gov’t is going to keep tabs on you based on the fact that you don’t agree with the concept of an all-powerful central government.

Be afraid.

Be very afraid.

If that is your criteria, I guess you boys better put me on your @%*&#^ list, because despite the fact that I’m a peaceful law-abiding citizen, you are saying that my beliefs make me your target.

I am a Federalist, believing in the the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and as an additional contextual framework, the Federalist Papers, which hew to the very principles this country was originally founded on – if that makes me a target, damn glad to be here.

The White House has distanced itself from the analysis. When asked for comment on its contents, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said, “The President is focused not on politics but rather taking the steps necessary to protect all Americans from the threat of violence and terrorism regardless of its origins. He also believes those who serve represent the best of this country, and he will continue to ensure that our veterans receive the respect and benefits they have earned.”

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The Internal Revenue Service, which collects taxes in the United States, vowed to show its gentler side this year.

“We recognize the economic realities that are out there,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman told reporters. “We’re available to work with people.”

No, if you aren’t cutting unnecessary spending to the bone and beyond (like exorbitant Congressional perks) then you have no idea what the realities are out there.

Let’s look at an example:

An elderly woman in Austin, Texas, who asked not to be named, said her $3,000 debt to the IRS grew to around $60,000 in taxes and penalties over 16 years despite the fact that she paid off the initial debt within six months.

The 61-year-old is disabled and suffers from multiple health problems. The IRS now takes $133 each month from her Social Security disability check.

The practice is part of the agency’s Federal Payment Levy Program, which allows up to 15 percent of any federal payments a delinquent taxpayer receives to go directly to the IRS until their overdue taxes are paid in full.

Grapes of Wrath…

Mexicans got upset about an ad showing their flag. Boo hoo. I don’t recall a huge hue and cry about Mexico’s flag being flown over the US’s upside down one a year or so ago. (look it up, it was at a school here in the US, done by hispanic students)

“We have to tell these people that in Mexico we have a great deal of respect for our flag,” Zermeno said.

My Personal “Things” – Don’t Peek

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